Out of the Boat, Into the Books

The Dream Team at the Oxford Indie Book Fair 2025

The Oxford Indie Book Fair 2025 didn’t feel like stepping out of the boat after all - more like stepping into a tide of stories. 🤩

After a slightly chaotic journey (missing the M40 exit and navigating Oxford’s maze of parking), I finally arrived with Emily and Katie, two of my brilliant daughters, who kept me cheerful, carried the heavy boxes and whipped up excitement.

Oxford Indie Book Fair Highlights

The Oxford Indie Book Fair was held in the splendid examination halls in the centre of Oxford. Marble

staircases, elegant portraits, mosaic floors - you get the picture.

Apparently, over 1,700 visitors attended. I’m not sure that many walked past my table, but those who did were smiley, polite, and enthusiastic. I wasn’t sure what to expect or how many books I might sell, but even if I hadn’t sold any, the experience would have been a good one.

It helped when Chris Crawley, a former teacher, now an author herself, came up to my table to exclaim, “Are you Caroline Boxall? I used your books to study in my class!” I mean, it doesn’t get much better than that!

I felt proud and humbled to be standing there with my daughters and my books , surrounded by hundreds of other independent authors, all with the same vision and all with magnificent displays of beautiful books.

I met some fascinating characters, many of them had helpful advice, some wanted helpful advice, and some didn’t speak at all.

Me with the Bigwigs of Oxford

I was thrilled to be visited by my good friend Christina Collins who brought me some of her famous brownies. She happens to be married to the Right Reverend Gavin Collins, Bishop of Dorchester who of course had a chat with the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, John May who was dressed in his finery.

Thanks also to Robert Taylor, my fellow Parkrun Marshall who made the trip to Oxford to buy more of my books (even though he’d already bought them!)

It was great to meet fellow authors, Chris Crawley, Angela Kecojovic and Marisa Noel. They all had spectacular stands and their books looked amazing. I hope to stay in touch with them.

Chris Crawley, author

It’s no surprise that the highlight of the day for me was the children. I had a creative writing challenge - a short story about a pebble. Not only was I overwhelmed by the number of children who entered the competition, but also by their enthusiasm and politeness. I can’t wait to read their stories. I have to give a big shout out to the boy who apparently never likes to sit still for more than a few minutes at a time and hasn’t particularly shown an interesting in writing before. He stayed at my table for a good 20 minutes, writing and writing like his life depended on it. Also the two boys who entered even though their first language isn’t English. The sisters who wrote sitting side-by-side, the reluctant girl who overcame her fears and entered a fantastic story, and the girl who was persuaded to put down her phone and pick up a pen. All these things make my heart soar.

So the Oxford Indie Book Fair didn’t feel like stepping out of the boat after all - it felt like sailing with a crew of kindred spirits.

Best-seller

Best-selling book at the fair

(and plenty of comments about the title):

It's Raining in Moscow and I Forgot my Umbrella

Curious about the title? Grab your copy here.

If you’ve read it already, I’d love you to leave a one-click rating (takes 3 seconds) on Amazon here.